Three Takeaways as Atlanta Braves hang on for 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins

Behind Josh Donaldson’s bat and Dallas Keuchel on the mound, the Atlanta Braves held on to defeat the Miami Marlins 4-3 Sunday afternoon and head to the All-Star Break with a 6 game division lead.

What a bizarre 9th inning for Luke Jackson and the Atlanta Braves.

Jackson has had all kinds of bad luck it seems, but today’s top half of the ninth inning might take the cake.

Jorge Alfaro reached on a chopper, Harold Ramirez hit a soft ground ball up the middle and Yadiel Rivera botched a sacrifice bunt attempt so bad it popped up right behind the mound – and all of the charging infielders – for a hit.

The bases were loaded, but the first two hits could have easily been outs.

Nevertheless, Jackson needed a miracle.

Enter Charlie Culberson.

Neil Walker was up next for the Marlins and hit a fly ball to left field. Culberson charged on it, caught it while and threw a perfect strike home to Brian McCann.

Out.  The Braves defensive play of the year.

Miami had to challenge, but Alfaro was clearly out.

Most impressive was that Culberson – a right-hander – had to catch the ball while more-or-less running toward second base, turned himself during the catch so that he could get something on the throw, and then hurled a perfect 1-hop strike.

Anything else and the runner scores.

Heroic, but still some unfinished business.  So now there were two down with runners on first and second.

Curtis Granderson then walked to load the bases, but Mel Rojas flew out to Ronald Acuna to end the game.

It was another series win for the Braves, which also moved their record against the Marlins this season to 10-2.

Early Action

Freddie Freeman got the Braves on the board first, with a bloop single in the third, scoring Acuna, who walked three times in the game.

The next batter up, Josh Donaldson, hit a bomb over the right-center bullpen that moved the lead to 3-0.

Donaldson scored on a Nick Markakis single in the fifth, which ended up being the deciding run.

Dallas Keuchel had his best start as a Brave, going 7.1 innings and allowing two earned runs on 108 pitches. He left to a standing ovation.

Chad Sobotka, who might very well be heading back to Gwinnett when Anthony Swarzak is deemed healthy Friday in San Diego, gave up three runs in the eighth, two of which were assigned to Keuchel.

I think we all would gladly take a 4-2 homestand the rest of the season. The Nationals are 15-6 in their past 21 games, but have gained only a game in the standings because the Braves are 14-7 in that span.

Now some much needed R&R for every Brave not named Freeman, Acuna, Soroka and Snitker.

3. J.D. to 200

Josh Donaldson’s two-run home run in the third was his 200th for his career and his 11th since June 1st.

After an inauspicious start to the season, The Bringer of Rain has absolutely destroyed the baseball since June 15th.

During that stretch, Donaldson had a slash line of .286/.400/.657, with an OPS of 1.057.

While there will be plenty of time and stories to speculate as to what the Braves and Donaldson will do in the upcoming off-season, at the very least he will get a qualifying offer, with a chance at being offered a longer contract.

Yes, Austin Riley is a third baseman by trade, but he has been fine in left field, so why not keep this ridiculous lineup going?

2. Keuchel keeps improving

After looking understandably inconsistent in his first two starts of the season, Dallas Keuchel has been tremendous is last two starts.

Both of which were victories, Keuchel has allowed four earned runs in his last 14.2 innings, while allowing just 13 baserunners.

A Soroka-Keuchel 1-2 punch will be tough to handle in October.

Keuchel will get the start in San Diego the first game back from the break.

1. This and that

Through 91 games last season, the Braves were 51-40 and tied with the Phillies for first place. This season, they are 54-37 and have the fifth best record in baseball.

The Braves have won eight of their last nine series and the one they didn’t win (the Cubs… in Chicago) they split.

Much has been talked about the Braves increase in power, but compared to just three years ago, the numbers are truly staggering.

For the entire 2016 season, they hit only 122 home runs and at the All-Star Break this year, they have already hit 143 and very nearly became the 1st team in baseball history to have six players with 15+ homers at the break (Albies had 14).

Finally, for as dramatic as the bullpen has made things (Hi Luke!), the unit has the second best ERA in baseball (3.63), they are tied for seventh in opponents average (.237) and tenth in strikeouts (357).

Yet, I still would bank on a reinforcement or two via trade before the end of the month.

Enjoy the Midsummer Classic, folks, and gear up for the remaining 71 games.

It’s going to be a fun ride.